Sitting, squatting, and the evolutionary biology of human inactivity.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
David A RaichlenBrian M Wood

Abstract

Recent work suggests human physiology is not well adapted to prolonged periods of inactivity, with time spent sitting increasing cardiovascular disease and mortality risk. Health risks from sitting are generally linked with reduced levels of muscle contractions in chair-sitting postures and associated reductions in muscle metabolism. These inactivity-associated health risks are somewhat paradoxical, since evolutionary pressures tend to favor energy-minimizing strategies, including rest. Here, we examined inactivity in a hunter-gatherer population (the Hadza of Tanzania) to understand how sedentary behaviors occur in a nonindustrial economic context more typical of humans' evolutionary history. We tested the hypothesis that nonambulatory rest in hunter-gatherers involves increased muscle activity that is different from chair-sitting sedentary postures used in industrialized populations. Using a combination of objectively measured inactivity from thigh-worn accelerometers, observational data, and electromygraphic data, we show that hunter-gatherers have high levels of total nonambulatory time (mean ± SD = 9.90 ± 2.36 h/d), similar to those found in industrialized populations. However, nonambulatory time in Hadza adults often occu...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jul 21, 2020·Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery·Peter BoydR Karl Malcolm
Dec 6, 2020·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Justin Aunger, Janelle Wagnild
Jan 2, 2021·American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology·Gurneet S SanghaAlisa M Clyne
Jun 12, 2021·Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews·Boris Cheval, Matthieu P Boisgontier
Jul 3, 2021·American Journal of Preventive Medicine·Maria Reyes Beltran-VallsDiego Moliner-Urdiales
Aug 17, 2021·American Journal of Physical Anthropology·Noor TasnimAngel Zeininger
Dec 29, 2020·Mayo Clinic Proceedings. Innovations, Quality & Outcomes·Salvatore CarboneCarl J Lavie

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